title: [Current treatment of depression and agitation in the elderly -- clinical use of trazodone].
abstract: Due to their increasing frequency, mental disorders among the elderly have special importance in the clinical practice. In this article we summarize the characteristics, diagnostic problems and modern treatments of mental disorders (especially depression) in old age. As this period of life means special somatic and psychic features in people's condition, it may be difficult to find the most effective and well-tolerated treatment, especially in case of comorbid dementia or agitated behaviour. In this article we review the therapeutic experience with the SARI antidepressant trazodone. Clinical studies and everyday practice indicate that trazodone due to its special multifunctional receptorprofile can be particularly effective in the treatment of depression accompanied by severe insomnia and anxiety. Due to its special anxiolytic and sleep normalising effect and well-tolerated side effect profile trazodone is found to be clinically useful not only in the treatment of depression in the elderly, but also in the case of serious comorbidity with dementia or agitated behaviour. We also illustrate the possibilities of using trazodone in the everyday practice with the presentation of two case reports. Furthermore we review the viewpoints of complex therapy which facilitates the successful treatment of depression in the elderly and the restoration of quality of life.
authors.affiliation: PTE Pszichiátriai és Pszichoterápiás Klinika, Pécs, Hungary. peter.osvath@aok.pte.hu.
authors.forename: Péter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Osváth
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000517:prevention & control; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014196:Trazodone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D014196:Trazodone